Steelers’ Search For A Big-Time WR Just Got More Interesting After Ryan Poles’ Latest Admission

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense showed promise at times last season, but it wasn't consistent enough to lead them to a win in the playoffs. 42-year-old future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers was solid, providing consistent presence and stability at the quarterback position that the Steelers haven't had since Ben Roethlisberger. While Rodgers was good enough for the Steelers to win the AFC North title, the offense was still limited, not only due to Rodgers' lack of mobility, but also the Steelers' lack of playmakers offensively. For the team and new head coach Mike McCarthy, this will have to change in order for the Black and Gold to overcome their recent playoff woes.

The Steelers signed star receiver DK Metcalf to a massive contract last season, and he responded with a solid year, but less than what the Steelers were expecting. Metcalf had 850 receiving yards in 15 games -- a solid mark, but not when you consider that this was the least amount of receiving yards that Metcalf had in a season so far in his NFL career, and a season marked by a late-season suspension over a fan altercation. What hampered the Steelers was that outside of Metcalf, the offense lacked the firepower to make up for Rodgers' lack of mobility as mentioned. 

Enter the Chicago Bears' general manager, Ryan Poles, who recently shared his insight into the future of one of his star receivers, DJ Moore.

"We want him here," said Poles. "We think highly of him, but this is the time now where we have to look at all the scenarios that will allow us to put the best team out there… he’s a guy we want here, but we have to look at all the scenarios."

DJ Moore could be exactly what the Steelers are looking for to revamp their offense. McCarthy is known for his West Coast playbook, and the Steelers will often use three-receiver sets as a result. A potential 1, 2 combo of Metcalf and Moore could give the Steelers the best receiving corps that they've had in years --  that is if Chicago is willing to part ways with Moore. 

For the Steelers, their offense will have to revolve around the passing attack under McCarthy. The heavy sets under former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith that the Steelers relied upon in the past will not be used nearly as much going forward. No matter who the quarterback is for the Steelers next season, their offensive upside will be questioned without more firepower.

The Steelers' offense relied heavily upon its running backs last season, and for good reason. Running backs Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren combined for one of the duos in the entire NFL. This was due to a combination of the Steelers' reliance on them because of their lack of skill-position players, and the overall effectiveness of the two. Gainwell was one of the best pass-catching running backs in all of the NFL last season, and legitimately the Steelers' second-best receiving option behind Metcalf.

Steelers Would Open Up On Offense With DJ Moore

The Steelers relied on their running attack to set up their passing game last season, but that's not how McCarthy's West Coast offense operates. The passing attack will now set up the running game, and the Steelers, with their already established running game, have the potential to have one of the most balanced attacks in the NFL. For this to be successful, Pittsburgh will need a receiver like Moore to pair with Metcalf and perhaps another receiving addition, either in free agency or the NFL Draft to truly complete the room.

The Steelers are going into next season with postseason aspirations and a win-now roster. McCarthy has routinely had some of the most high-powered offenses in the NFL during his time with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. A trade for Moore to start the offseason would send a strong message to the rest of the NFL that the Steelers are for real.

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